NANS To Mobilise 10m students for 2027 elections

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has set a target of mobilising at least 10 million Nigerian students to participate in the 2027 general elections.

The association also constituted a National Election Mobilisation Committee to coordinate voter sensitisation, mobilisation and monitoring of students’ participation in election-related activities across the country.

The move comes as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduled to hold the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 20, 2027, and the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on March 6, 2027.

In a statement signed by its National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS described students as a significant constituency in Nigeria’s democratic process, claiming a membership base of more than 40.1 million students.

The association said the size of the student population meant that students could not afford to remain indifferent to the electoral process, particularly because government policies and decisions directly affect them.

NANS said, “As the apex student representative body with over 40.1 million Nigerian students as members, we constitute a significant voting bloc in the country.”

It added: “It is noteworthy that we are major stakeholders in nation-building, as students constitute a significant segment of the country’s population and are directly affected by government policies and decisions. Hence, we cannot afford to toe the path of apathy or remain indifferent to the democratic process.”

According to the association, the mobilisation drive is aimed at promoting informed and responsible participation rather than political apathy among students.

“As a body of intellectuals and future leaders, we strongly believe that one of the most important ways citizens can contribute to the democratic process is through informed and active participation in elections.

“Therefore, our firm resolve is to encourage Nigerian students to participate actively and responsibly in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections,” NANS said.

The association said the newly constituted National Election Mobilisation Committee would coordinate sensitisation, mobilisation and monitoring of students’ participation and election-related activities across the six geopolitical zones.

Under the structure, the NANS President will serve as Director-General, while the NANS Senate President will serve as Deputy Director.

Olusola Oladoja was appointed National Coordinator, Gambo Abubakar as National Deputy Coordinator, and Charles Obina Ebube as National Public Relations Officer.

Agbabiaka Ahmed was named Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the South, while Ibrahim G. Ibrahim Babalolo will chair the Northern Advisory Committee.

The committee has also been decentralised across the six geopolitical zones, with representatives appointed in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The North-West structure covers Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa states, while the North-East structure covers Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Adamawa and Bauchi states.

The North-Central structure includes Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, the FCT, Kogi and Niger states.

In the South-West, the committee covers Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti and Ondo states, while Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states make up the South-South zone.

The South-East structure covers Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states.

NANS said the committee would commence “immediate sensitisation, mobilisation and monitoring” of students across campuses and institutions.

It directed the committee to coordinate its activities with existing NANS structures, student unions and other stakeholders in the various zones.

The association said its central objective was to translate the large student population into active participation in the electoral process, setting a target of 10 million students for the 2027 elections.

“Our target is to facilitate the participation of at least 10 million Nigerian students in the 2027 General Elections,” the statement said.

NANS also directed political support groups and election-related organisations seeking to engage students during the electoral period to liaise with the newly constituted committee.

“On a final note, all political support groups and election-related organisations seeking to organise any political or election-related activities, sensitisation, mobilisation or engagements involving Nigerian students are expected to liaise with the NANS National Election Mobilisation Committee for proper coordination, notification and monitoring before organising any such activities,” the association said.

The statement did not indicate that the committee would endorse or support any particular political party or candidate.

Afeez charged members of the committee to approach their assignments with commitment and efficiency, expressing confidence in their ability to deliver on the mandate.

“I have full confidence in each of you to deliver effectively in these responsibilities. I warmly congratulate you all, and as we move forward, I charge you to remain efficient, committed and dedicated to the responsibilities entrusted to you,” he said.